Girls Leadership Institute: The Summer That Changed Me

So goes the celebratory chant of the Girls Leadership Institute. For three weeks over the summer of 2011, GLI was my camp. For the rest of my life, it will be one of my fondest memories.

I did not want to go, for no other reason then I felt lazy and the idea of an all-girls camp seemed silly to me. I’m a feminist, but I feel no need to seek out sisterhood. Reluctantly, I packed my bags and arrived at Smith College.

Every day and every night, something happens at GLI. I can’t think of a single moment I was bored there. Between the projects, the impromptu Bananagrams, and legitimate …